LIFE.com: Famous High School Dropouts

Al Pacino

The acclaimed actor left New York's School for the Performing Arts at age 17 after a disastrous academic performance, and took on menial jobs to support his acting career. (Steve Wood/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

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These actors have more in common then winning an Oscar; they both dropped out of high school. Keep clicking to see more celebrities who quit school. (Time and Life Pictures/Time Life Pictures/Steve Wood/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

The legendary actor was expelled from one high school for riding his motorcycle through the halls, then was kicked out of military school after sneaking into town while on probation. (Hulton Archive/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

The comedian left one high school in Brooklyn after suffering racially tinged bullying, then dropped out altogether to earn a GED instead. (Ron Galella/WireImage/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

The founder of Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers restaurants dropped out of high school in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to focus on working in a restaurant. He earned a GED much later, in 1993, and said not getting his high-school degree was the biggest regret of his life. (Tim Boyle/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

The Boston native never finished at Copley Square High School, but that charge of attempted murder and stint in prison for racist assaults probably didn't help. (Paul Natkin/WireImage/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures

The acclaimed actor left New York's School for the Performing Arts at age 17 after a disastrous academic performance, and took on menial jobs to support his acting career. (Steve Wood/Getty Images/LIFE.com) Visit LIFE: Your World in Pictures